Carpet washer



I Aug. 13, 1935. J, sl THOMPSQN 2,011,234

CARPET WASHER Filed July 17, 1933 4 SheetS'fShee'b l FIS // 4442 49 INVENTOR doep/z 5. 7770/77/050/7 A TTORNE YS.'

Aug- 13, 1935 J. s. THOMPSON 2,011,234

CARPET WASHER Filed July 1'7, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'F'IE ATTORNEYS.

Aug- 13, 1935- J. s. THOMPSON 2,011,234 n CARPET WASHER Filed July 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 uff-IIE E ma -a y A g .4222,

INVENTOR Jefe/0h j 7770/77/050/7 ATTORNEYS Aug. 13, 1935. 5 THOMPSQN 2,011,234

CARPET WASHER Filed July 17, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvENToR Jose/.g 5 fa/@oan ATrORNEYs Patented Aug. 13, 1935 PATENT oFFIcE CARPET WASHER v Joseph S. Thompson, San Francisco, Calif. Application' July 17, 1933, serial Nogesoaev A7 Cmms. (c1. 15-5ol l' "The invention in general relates to cleaning devices, and more particularly relates to means forV removing stains `from carpets, floors and like surfaces. f

The embodiment of my invention which `is illustrated and described herein is an improvement of the spot cleaning device of my invention `which is disclosed and' claimed in LettersPatent of the United States, No. 1,892,792, issued to me on January 3, 1933.V I

It is an object of the invention to provide a self-propelled carpet or surface washing device which affords continuous circulation of a cleaning fluid about the area traversed bythe device in operation.

\ Anotherobject ofthe invention is to provide a device `of the aforementioned character which affords automatic reversal in the direction of flow of the circulating cleaning fluid over a soiled surface upona reversal in direction of movement of thedevice.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified which compensates forV uneven surfaces encountered and hence avoids misapplication of the'cleaning fluid. l Another object of the invention is to provide Ia carpet-Washing device Which affords Vcirculating -applicationof a hot cleaning fluid to the Vsoiled. or spotted carpetv Without damaging the fabric. i Y

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained with theembodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: f Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation, vpartlyin crosssection, of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of certain connected details ofthe embodimentV of `the invention shown in Figure 1. Y

Figure' 3 is an elevation, partly in cross-section,

of other certain details ofthe embodiment of the invention. i

' Figure 4 is a view taken on the section line d-of Figure 1. f Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevationv of one portion ofthe embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figure 1. i Figure 6 .is a view of the detail shown in Figure 3 and taken on the line 6--6 thereof.

, Figure 'l is an enlarged sectional elevationlof amodifled. embodiment of the connected parts which are illustrated` in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a modified embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of another form of that portion of the modified embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figure 8. Figure '1QY is 3plan of `a 4modification of one portion of the embodiment of my invention.

Figure 11 isha cross-sectional View of the modification of my invention taken on the line I I-I I of Figure 10. In its preferred form,` the carpet or surface,

washing device of my in prises a carriage, means for propelling the car-,k riage, a tank for vholding a cleaning `fluid sup'-f ported on the carriage, together with a washing head supported adjacent the carpet or surface to be cleaned, means for circulating thecleaning l fluid' about the VWashing head in the direction counter tonthe direction of movement of the carriage,` and means for' automatically d reversing vthe direction of flow of the fluid across the carpet or surface upon a reversal in the direction of movement' of the carriage. l

Asillustrated in `figure` lof the drawings, I provide a carriage which includes 9, framework I I supported upon a pair of rollers or wheels I2,

the wheels being mounted upon an axle I3 which 25 is journaledfin bearings I4 carried by the framework. "A handle or guide-bar I6, secured to the framework, is provided for moving the machine `about when not in operation.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated,

there' is'included a tank I1 which is removably mounted upon the framework I I a prime mover, s uchas a motor I8, for propelling the carriage, a rwashing'l'ieadl I9, and means for circulating a cleaning fluid from the tank about the washing head and over soiled spots or areas on the carpet or 4,otlfier surface 'being washed, said means ineluding a gear,`^vane, or other type of pump 2I which is driven by the motor, a conduit 22 which establishes communication between the tank I l, 40

through a valve head'A 23, and the washing head I9, together with a, return pipe 24 leading from the pump 2l to thetop of the tank I1;

The tankv I1 for holding the cleaning fluid may be vfabricated ofV any relatively light metal or other suitable material and preferably is supported bythe framework intermediate the guide-bar IG and the motor and pump assembly. Prefer- Vably,`the tank I 1 is` automatically self-sealing `upon removal thereof fromf the carriage, and au,- tomatically establishesy communication with the conduit 22 uponinstalling thetank in position upon the framework. With particular reference' to Figures 1 and 2 of the: drawings, it will be observedthat the" bottom of the tank is recessed and ention preferably com- 10 a tube 26 is secured in the recess. The tube may take any desired form, although in the present embodiment a cylindrical tube having a valve seat 2l formed upon its inner end is employed. A web 28, having a central bore 29, is formed in the tube for slidably supporting the shank of a pcppet or other type of valve 3l. Co-operating with the tube 26 is a sleeve 32 which is in threaded engagement with a boss 33 formed upon the valve head 23 of the conduit 22. If desired, the tube 26 can be provided witha flared portion or apron 34 at its outer end, which will serve as a guide for the sleeve 32 when the tank is placed upon the carriage. The sleeve 32 carries a pin 36 which engages the shank of the valve 8| to lift the same from its seat 2l when the tank is in position on the framework II. the carriage for replenishing the cleaning ud or substituting a fresh supply thereof, the valve 3l drops upon its seat 21 and eiectively seals the tank. Y

VF'or propelling the carriage, I preferably em ploy an electric motor having an extended shaft 3l which, through suitable gearing, drives an auxiliary shaft 38 J'ourn'aled in bearings 39 which are mounted upon theframework of the carriage. The arrangement is such that the auxiliary shaft 3B may be'driven in either a clockwise or a coun.- ter-clockwise direction, at the will of the operator of the device, so that the carriage may be pro? polled in a forward or a backward direction. The driven shaft 38 is placed in driving connection with the axle I3 preferably by means of sprockets and achain drive 4L.'

Preferably. a reversible bevel gear connection is employed between the. motor shaft 3 1 and the auxiliary shaft 68 for effecting movement of the carriage in a forward and in a reverse direction. The reversible bevel gear drive connection prep erably includes a stub shaft 42 which is journaled in bearings 43 carried in a housing 44 Supported on the framework. The stub shaft l2 is given unidirectional movement by means of a worm 4i; carried on the extended motor shaft 31 which meshes with a worm wheel 4l mounted on the Stub shaft. The stub shaft 42 carries an axially movable sleeve 48 upon which is carried a .pair of bevel gears 49 and 5I, either one `of which, depending upon the desired direction of moveF ment of the carriage, iS placed in engagement with a bevel gear 52 mounted upon an auxiliary stub shaft 53 which is journaled in a bearing 54 carried by the housing 44. The auxiliary stub shaft 53 also carries a bevel gear 56 which is in constant engagement with a bevel gear l carried by the auxiliary shaft 38. VIn order to move the. sleeve 48 axially in either direction ,along the Shaft 42 and hence to place either the gear 48 or the gear 5| into engagement with the bevel gear 52, I prg5 vide a lever 58 which may be positioned upon the guide bar lli of the device and which controls through suitable linkage 58d (Fig, 6) a pin 5S which is disposed .in a groove lformed in the Sleeve 48. A, pull upon the lever 58 causes the pin 59 to move the sleeve in one direction to place one of the gears de or 5I into engagement with the ygear 52, and, contra, a push upon the lever 58 will eifect the movement of the sleeve 48 in the opposite, direction.

In accordance with the invention, the washing head I9 preferably comprises a shell 62 in which is formed a chamber 63 having an inlet 64 and an outleti. the outlet communicating with channels 61ans). 68 which are formed in the shell below the chamber 63 and which terminate at the base Upon removing the tank from of the shell. An additional channel 69 is formed in the shell 62, the termini of which are at the base of Athe head. Preferably, the washing head is supported upon the device by means of a swivel mounting in order that the head may conform to uneven or undulatory surfaces over which the carriage may ride. For supporting the head, I conveniently provide a pipe 'II which is connected to the pump 2| and which establishes communication between the pump and the channel 69 of the head. The swivel mounting includes a relatively short pipe connection or sleeve I2 which is movably fastened in the pipe 'Il and which eX- tends therefrom, the head I9 and the sleeve 'I2 moving about the pipe 'il when undulatory surfaces are encountered. The extended sleeve 'I2 is Ithreaded to receive a threaded extension 'I3 of the shell 62, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The mounting for the washing head I9 also includes a pipe 'I4 which is threaded into a cap 'I6 and which carries a threaded extremity 'Il for receiving the threaded portion of the inlet 64 of the shell. The pipe 'I8 is provided with ports 'IB which are held in regis-try with the conduit 22 and hence establish communication between the conduit 22 and the chamber $3 of the washing heacl.l

The washing head IS also includes an interior web l for supporting a heating element 8l within the chamber 63 so that the washing fluid may be hea-ted as it passes through the washing head and prior to being disposed or deposited upon the carpet or surface being cleaned. The heating element preferably is electrical and derives its power from the same source as the motor I8.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, a plate 82 is sldably supported on Ithe base of the shell 62 and is moved between two extreme positions by surface friction between it and the surface being cleaned. Any suitable means for mounting the plate can be employed, although, as illustrated, I have provided bolts 83 which are secured to the plate 82 and which slide in grooves 8l! formed in the base of the shell. The plate 82 is provided with channels 86 and 81 and also is recessed to provide, in conjunction with the carpet or other surface being cleaned, a chamber 88 for the washing iiuid. In Figure 5 of the drawings I have illustrated the position that plate 82 assumes when the carriage is propelled in a forward direction. In this position it will be observed that the channel 8l of the plate is in registry with the channel 68 of the shell, and, further, that the channel 86 of the plate 82 is in registry with the channel 69 of the shell. Upon a reversal of movement of the carriage the plate 82 assumes a position at the forward end of the shell 62 vso that channel 86 of the plate is in registry with channel 6'! of the shell and channel 8'!A of the plate is in registry with channel 6B of the shell, The changes in position of the plate 82 upon a change in direction of movement ofthe carriage afford a change in direction of flow of the washing fluid, so that the fluid will always flow counter to the direction of movement of the device. The arrows of Figure 5 indicate the direction of flow o1 the fluid through the washing head.

inasmuch as the washing head I8 is supported adjacent the floor or other surface being cleaned and is positioned below the tank I'I on the framework, the fluid will flow from the tank I'I to the washing head by gravity and by force of its head. An adjustable needle valve 89 is provided and supported in the valve head 523 of the conduit 22 for controlling-the flow of cleaning fluid to the wash- -ingheadJ l I In "Figure 7 of the drawings I have shown a `moc'liiied-form'oi valve for controlling the ow of iud from the tank `|1 to the' conduit 22. In thisemcdiflcation the `needle valve l89 is dispensed fwith, 'the transverse pin 36` carried by the sleevev i 321s alsoeliminated, and a relatively long pin '3| isf provided which extends longitudinally of thesleeve andis slidably mounted in an interior `web 92 on the sleeve32 as well asin a boss 93 formedn the head 23 of the conduit 22. Prefer- -ably,thejhead 23 andthe sleeve 32 are formed integrali To actuate the pin 9| I provide a iinger 94 which is pivotally connectedito a bracket 96 carried by the valve assembly and which engages the exposed or lower end of the pin. Movement of free end 91 of'this finger will eiect a raising orV 4 lowering of thepin 9| to unseat and permit seatingof the valve 3|. e 'i fTo"`operate`th `e device itis necessary only to connect the motor` and heating element circuit to a source of current and to close theswitch in the circuit to start the motor and the pump and to energize the heating element. The valve 89 is then/openedto'permitow of the washing iiuid e from-the tank to the vwashing head. With the carria'gemoving in a forward direction, the plate 82iip`c`1`rthewashing head assumes a position `as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, and the pump `,2| Lwill draw the cleaning fluid upon its suction stroke through the washingA head,V through the channel |68` of` the shellland the channel 81 of the plate, across the Vsoiled area conned by the `chamber`88`,"a'nd back through the channel 69 of the washing head into the pipe 1| leading to the `pump 2|'.` The outlet of the pump communicates with the return pipe 24 fromwhence the fluid is conducted back tothe tank I?. Upon a reversal in direction ci movement of the carriage, the plate 82 of the washing head slides to the forward part of theshell andthe fluid is drawn through the washlng head, throughthe channel S1 of the "shell, through'thechannel 8B of the plate, across the soiled surfaceup through the channel 810i the plateffto `the channel 69 of theshell, and vthence 'through the pipe 1| `and the pump 2| back to the tank" The shifting i of the plate 82 automatically, itwillbe observed, changes the direction of flowV of the cleaning fluid over the soiled area, 'so that'it will always ilow counter to the direction of flow of the movement of the carriage.

'Iodiscontinu'e' operations, the valve 89 is rs't closedand the Amotor and the pump operated for 'ashort period to ush the cleaning fluid from the device and carry the duid `back to the tank When the washing liuid in the tank becomes unffitffory further use, the tank can be removed from the framework the valve 3| immediate- 1y and automatically seating upon its seat 2T to seal the-tank andhence prevent any `discharge of the'uid from the tank I1. -Y AlthoughI have illustrated the device of my invention as including aV tank for holding a. cleaning fluid which is supplied to the washing head |9'and drawn over the surface being cleaned by:V means of a pump, "the tank may bedispensed with, if desired,land the vhose 22 maybe connected directly tora hot water tap; the return ,pipe orhose 24 from the pump exhaust being led to ra suitabledrain. With this type of arrange'- ment, means canbe providedfor introducing soap or'other cleanser into the hot water flowing throughhose 22,'` such as, for example, a liquid sapcontainer-Which can be connected into the hose 22 in any suitable and conventionalmanner. InlFigures 8 and 9 of the drawings I haveA illustrated two embodiments of soap feeding means.

Withparticular referenceto Figure 8, I providea T casing|0| divided into two compartments |02 and |03,'fthecompartment `|02 being air-tight and servingtto hold a quantity of liquid soap.A The compartment"|03 or turbulence chamber has an inlet |04' provided with a nipple |06 to which'a hose vfl ULfleading from a hot water tap is con- -nectedi'or communication with the chamber |03. An outlet |08 is `formed in the compartment |03 and likewise is provided with a nipple |09 to which the conduit "|22, leading'through a valve as in Figure 7 to the washing head.` of the device illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, is connected. The turbulenc'echamber is provided with baies and ||2 to assistfthe-` mixing of the liquid soap and the `hot water. The liquid soap is'introduced into the compartment |03 by means of a Y' ||3 which iscontrolled by any suitable valve, such asthe needlervalve ||4. The soap feedingdevice illustrated in Figure 8 of the draw; ings also includes -meanasuch as a pipe or conduit l5, for equalizirg the :pressures in compartments |02 andll03.Y In Figure 9 of the drawings I have illustrated a mdied form "of soapfeeding means in which the pressure equalizing means ofl the device issub-k stituted byan-air and water compartment controlled Aby a suitable'valve. f This modification comprises Va-casing 20| divided into three compartments'or chambers,includin`g a liquid soap chamber `202,` a turbulence or mixing chamber 203 and an'air and water compartment 205`of greater dimensions than the liquid soap`chamber 202. As in the modification of Figure, the mixing chamber 203'has an inlet 204 provided with a nipple 206 towhich a hosel20'lrleading from arho't water tap is connected for communication with the chamber 203;'` Anoutlet 208 is formed in thecompart-A ment "203 and is providedlwitha nipple 209 'for receiving the conduit '222 which leads through a valve'as inFigure'l to thewashing head ofthe device of invention. The chamber'203 is provided withbailiesfZ| I and2|2 toassist in mixing thesoap'and-hot water'which is fed to the wash# ing head. In this modication `of soap feeding device, a passage 2|3 connects the compartments -202 and 203 and a needle va1ve12|4 controls the -ow of Vliquid tothe chamber 203. An indicator 2|5 is provided for observing the level of the liquid soap. The chambers 202 and 205 are airtightand a partition 2|6 divides them. `Mounted Vwithin the compartment`205 is a valve'2l1 Yfor controlling an inlet 2|8 atMthe base of the cornpartment 205, the valve being carried by a-valve e. stem 2 9 which is adapted to be placed in threadfed engagement with a sleeve 220which is carried by a' Wing nut 22| and which piereces the top or-cover 223 of the'compartments 202 and 205. Screwing thesleeve 220 upon the Vvalve stem'2 I9, when placing the coveron the casing 20|, `raises the valve.2|| against the action of a spring 224 to' permit flow of water 'into compartment 205. Upon removing the cover ofthe compartments 202` and.205,the wing nut 22| is rotated inthe opposite direction and thesleeve 220 releases the valve' stem 2I9thereby permitting the seating of the valve 2|'| 'by force of the action of'the spring 224.` The compartment205 is provided with-an outlet 225 controlled `by a check valve 226` which""opens when theV coverA of' thecom- .partment is' removed by the pressure of the water therein, to permit draining thereof through, the outlet 225. i

In the carpet washer of my invention, I preferably provide means for shifting or nudging the .front of the washing head to the right and to the left in order substantially to maintain a given course of travel of the device. As illustrated in Figures 10 and l1 of the drawings,.I mount a pairv of nudging devices, designated generally by the reference numeralV 3l I, upon the trailing edge or back of the washing head (SI 9. One'device 3I I is mountedat one end of theback, of the head and faced inwardly, while the other device 3l I is mounted at the opposite end of the back ofthe head and also faced inwardly, so that the two nudging devices face towards Veach other.V Each nudging device preferably comprises a lever 32| which is journaled in the housing of the head 3 I 9 and 'which is pivotally connected, by means of a bell crank 322, to a platform or shoe 323. -The shoe 323 is pivotally mounted to the bell crank and is normally carried clear of the surface being washed by means of an arm 324 ofthe bell crank, which carries a lip 326 extending over and resting upon the lever 32I, as well as by means of a spring 321 which urges the lever -32I against a stop 328 secured to the washing'head.

\ In `order to shift or nudge the head 3I9 to the left, or in a direction as indicated bythe arrow 329 in Figure l1 of the drawings, it is only necessary for the operator toV depress, the pedal SSI of the device 3I2 Yat the opposite end of the head.

As illustrated in Figure-10 of the drawings, the head 3I9 conveniently is providedwwithmeans for guiding the head whenfw'orking along'walls. These means preferably comprise'a pair of wheels or rollers 333and 334 which are journaled in the head housing at opposite sides of the front of the head. As shown, the mounting of the wheels is such that each protrudes slightly from the side of the head for engaging the walladjacent which the machine may be'working, thus guiding the head. Preferably, the wheels are covered with a resilient substance such as rubber, to protect vthe wall from abrasion, In this connection it is to be noted that thel wheelsv 333' and'` 334 are mounted so as to extend forwardlyof the head so that upon` approaching and engaging a wall `with the device, the wall is protected from damage.

',While I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings,v it is to be understood that I am not -toy be limited to the embodiment shown, as my invention, Vas dened inv the appended claims, can be embodied Ain a plurality and variety of forms.

I claim: y 1.3In a surface-washing device, a washing head adapted to be moved back and forth over the surface to bewashed, a plate slidably supported on said head and adapted to rest upon-said'surface, said plate having` a recess therein which forms, in conjunction with the surface ,to be washed, .a chamber for the passage of washingL fluid, and means controlled by sliding movements of the plate relative to the head for reversing the direction of flow of washing fluid through said recess. 2. In a surface-washing device, a washing'head adapted to be moved back and forth over a surface to be washed, a plate slidably supported upon said head and adapted to rest upon said surface, said plate having a recess therein which forms, in conjunction with the surface to be washed, a chamber for the passage of a washing fluidymeans forgsupplying a. washing uidto said chamber,

fand means controlled `by the positioning ofthe plate-relative to the head for drawing the fluid across said chamber counter to the direction of movement of the device and -for withdrawing the uid from said chamberl irrespective of the direction of movement of the device. j

3. In a surface-washing device, a washing head adapted to be moved back and forth over the surface to be washed, twoV sets of spaced Ypassages in said head, one set serving to deliver 'washing` fluid to an area of the surface operated upon and the other set serving to remove the fluid from said contact, and means for changing the `directicn of flowof washing uid across said area in accordance with a change in thedirection of movement of the head, said last means including a member carried by the head for limited movement relative thereto, said member having one surface thereof adapted to frictionally contact said surface, said member alsobeing provided with a fluid recess and Aspaced uid inlet and outlet ports selectively communicating between the recess and the two sets of passages in the head.

4. In a surface-washing device, a washing head adapted to be moved back and forth over the surface to be washed, two sets of spaced passages in ISaid head, one set serving to deliver washing fluid to an area of the surface operated upon and the other set serving to remove the fluid after such contact, and means for changing the direction of ow of washing fluid across said area in accordance with a change in the direction of movement of the head. said last means including a plate slidably carried by the head for limited movement relative thereto, said plate having one face thereof adapted lto'frictionally contactsaid'surface, said plate being also provided with a fluid recess interrupting said plate, together with spaced fluid inlet and outlet ports selectively establishing communication between the recess and the two sets of passages in the head. 5. In a surface-washing device, a member having a substantially flat face interrupted by a recess, whereby when said face is contacted with a surface to be treated a confined chamber is defined by the'recess `and said surface, means including a head for causing flow of washing or cleaning liquid through the chamber thus formed, the member having spaced ports for the flow of liquid into and from said chamber, and means for reversing the direction of flow through said ports and said chamber in response to a change in the direction of movement of the device, said last means including a connection between said member and said head affording limited relative movement between the same.

V6. In a surface-washing device, a Washing head adapted to be moved back and forth over the surface to be washed, a member underlying the head and carried by the same for limited relative sliding movement, the lowervface of the member being adapted to frictionally engage said surface, whereby the member assumes either one of two limiting positions in accordance with the direction of movement of the head, a recess formed inthe lower face of the member, separate fluid passages inthe head for delivering and removing washing iiuid, and means for establishing vcennnunication between said recess and'said passages for flow of fluid in opposite directions through. said recess for said two limiting positions of the plate relative to the head.

'7. In a surface-washing device, a member having a substantially flat face interrupted by `a I recess, whereby when said face is contacted with a the chamber, and means for reversing the direcsurface to be cleaned a confined chamber is detion of ow through said ports and said chamfined by the recess and said surface, means for ber in response to a change in the direction of circulating a washing or cleaning liquid through movement of the device over said surface. 5 the chamber thus formed, the member having i spaced ports for the flow of liquid into and from JOSEPH S. THOMPSON. 

